McCulloch v. Maryland is associated with expanding the power of which level of government?

• A. The Federal Government
• B. State Governments
• C. Municipal Governments
• D. The Courts

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how the federal government can gain power through constitutional interpretation. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress has implied powers beyond those listed in the Constitution, using the Necessary and Proper Clause to justify creating a national bank as a means to execute its enumerated powers (like collecting taxes, borrowing money, and regulating currency). This establishes that the federal government can act in ways not explicitly written in the document if they are reasonably necessary to carry out its constitutional responsibilities. The decision also reinforces the Supremacy Clause, holding that federal law prevails over state law, so a state cannot tax a federal institution. Together, these points show the expansion of federal authority relative to state governments.